Automatic recording ice-scale.



PATENTBDJAN. 9, 1906.

G. E. CRANE. AUTOMATIC RECORDING ICE SCALE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 2, 1905.

6 SHEETSSHEET 1.

D awmwtoz N0- 809,429. PATENTED JAN. 9, 1906. G. E. CRANE.

AUTOMATIC RECORDING ICE SCALE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 2, 1-905.

5 SHEETSSHEET 2- I a wcoz Witwzooeo Q77 fly M qii M W 722% PATENTED JAN 9, 1906.

G, E. CRANE. AUTOMATIC RECORDING ICE SCALE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 2, 1905.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

Witmeooeo No- 809,429. PATENTED JAN. 9, 1906. G. E. CRANE.

AUTOMATIC RECORDING ICE SCALE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 2, 1905.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 4 a gmgemtoz mmmw M 6 w M I attoz vwu o .No. 809,429. PATENTBD JAN. 9, 1906. C. E. CRANE. AUTOMATIC RECORDING ICE SCALE. APPLICATION FILED MAY 2. 1905.

5 SHEBTS-SHEET 5.

m M W m 5M 8 0 1 M.% Z o f 000 w v 7 m w a I w e 6 M 0 o f A E o o UV 0 l c m 2 \/d A 4 o O w b 9 a 7 mi. m p@ L 32k wwweoob *NT OFFICE.

lI-IARLES E. CRANE, OF SEATTLE, XVASHINGTON.

AUTOMATIC RECORDING EOE-SCALE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 9, 1906.

Application filed May 2,1905. Serial No. 258,439

To all whmn it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, CHARLES E. CRANE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Seattle, in the county of King, State of VVashington, have invented certain-new and useful Improvements in Automatic Recording Ice-Scales, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to weighing apparatus, and more particularly to that class of weighing apparatus in which the article to be weighed, as ice, is suspended from a helical spring; and my invention consists in the combination, with the said spring, of means for indicating and printing the amount weighed and other data, an operating-handle for actuating the said means, and certain features of construction, all as fully set forth hereinafter and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a side elevation, in part section, of my improved apparatus; Fig. 2, an elevation looking in the direction of the arrow (L, Fig. 3, and in section through the casing. Fig. 3 is an elevation looking in the direction of the arrow 5, Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a sectional plan of Fig. 3; Fig. 5, a sectional elevation on the line 5 5, Fig. 3; Fig. 6, a face view of the cutting device.

The frame C of the machine is of any suitable construction to receive and support the operating parts, but as shown consists of side pieces a a and cross-bars arranged between the bottom plate d and top plate 0 of a casing consisting of said plates and a shell B, the top and bottom plates being bolted to the frame C. From the top plate 0 is suspended a helical spring D, the upper coils of which are secured within a block 53, bolted to the top plate, while the lower ends of the coil are connected to a block 46 at the upper end of a rod 45, angular in cross-section, sliding through an opening in the lower plate Z) and supporting a hook 57. YVithin the spring is a cylinder 51, containing a piston 52, connected to the upper end of a rod 48, which constitutes a prolongation of the rod 45, these parts constituting a dash-pot to prevent too abrupt a movement of the rod 45 when a weightas, for instance, the tongs and a block of iceis placed upon the hook or re moved therefrom. The movement of the rod 45 is made the means of turning a disk E, so that a series of numbered type on the periphery of said disk will be brought into print ing position above a platen 1, the parts being so arranged that the figure that is brought opposite the platen will indicate the number of pounds weight of the article suspended from the hook 57. W'ith the parts so arranged, with. the exception of the rod 45 and its ho ok inclosed in the casing and inaccessible, are combined means whereby a print may be taken showing the number of pounds and, if desired, additional matter, such as the month, the day of the month, the year, the name of the seller, &c. While these parts may be of any suitable construction and arrangement, I prefer that which I will now describe.

The disk E is turned from the shaft 45 through the medium of a rack 55, connected at its lower end to the block 46 and extending outside the spring D and engaging a pinion gupon the shaft f, that supports the disk E, so that the latter turns as the rod 45 moves vertically. It is desirable that the disk E always be brought to a position with the type directly above the platen, and I therefore provide a centering means consisting of a series of conical sockets It, with which may engage the conical end of a slide Z, which is car ried outward. by a spring 0, and whenever the same is fully in a socket one of the type is squarely above the platen.

The imprint of the days, months, and year may be secured by suitable type-blocks ar ranged adjacent to the lower portion of the disk E. As shown, there is a disk 3, having at the periphery typeindicating the different months and connected with a sleeve turning upon a stud 5, the said sleeve terminating in a pointer 9. A similar disk 4 has peripheral type indicating the numbers of the days of the month, and to this is connected a sleeve which incloses the sleeve of the disk 3 and terminates in a finger 8, both fingers being opposite a disk 7 outside the casing and properly marked to enable the operator by turning the fingers to bring the desired type into printing position. To hold the parts in place frictionally, a spring 6 bears against the disk 3 and against a shoulder of a block 0, at the lower part of which is suitable type indicating the year and also the sellers name and other matter.

The platen 1 extends below the printingfaces and may be moved vertically upward against a sheet or strip upon which the impression is to be made in any suitable manner. As shown, the platen 1 is at the upper end of a slide 47, having a cross-pin bearing upon an arm a, pivoted at i and resting at the other end upon a cam t upon a shaft 61, which is the main operating-shaft of the machine and which extends through the shell of the casing and is provided with a handle 8. By turning the shaft 61 in the direction of its arrow, Fig. 5, the cam traises the arm a and carries the platen toward the type and toward any strip between the type and the platen. While this impression might be used for printing or embossing the strip, a sharper and better impression can be secured by carrying the platen suddenly under impact against the type, and I therefore provide a spring-actuated hammer y, which may be re leased to strike the end of the slide 47 after the cam has raised the platen. As shown, the hammer y is upon the end of a spiral spring 62, connected to a cross-bar 2, and the shaft 61 carries a pin w, which as the shaft is turned passes through a slot in the arm a and is brought against the lip of the hammer y to depress the same and releases the hammer as the cam carries the platen to its highest point. The cam then leaves the arm a, when the platen will descend.

The strip or strips to be impressed or printed are carried between the platen and the type, said strips passing between feed-rolls 14 and 15, and when two strips are employed both of them are wound upon a spool 18, one for the ticket and the other for a record. The record-strip passes from the spool 18 upward over a roller, between the platen and the type, between the feed-rolls, and down to a spool 19. The ticket-strip passes upward from the spool 18 over a roller and between the platen and the type, between the feedrolls, and across a knife 11, which is operated at each operation of the apparatus, so as to shear off the ticket, which then passes through a suitable opening in the casing, so as to be delivered to the customer as a record of the transaction, While the record upon the other strip is retained within the machine for inspection by the seller. In many instances it is preferable to make the impression from a printing-ribbon, and I therefore provide two spools 31 32, supported to turn in brackets at one side of the frame, and a guide-roll 49 at the opposite side. (See Fig. 3.) The ribbon passes from the spool 32 upward over a roller 81, through slots in the frame, between the type and platen, around the roll 49, and back between the type and platen onto the spool 31. This permits the record strip to be carried at right angles to the rib bon beneath one section of the ribbon and the ticket-strip to be carried beneath the other section of the ribbon, so as to secure an impression upon both strips.

While the disk E may be connected rigidly to the shaft I prefer a flexible connection allowing a slight play of the disk, but l)'li1'lg ing it after such play back to one position, and to prevent the shock which would result from carrying the disk instantly with the shaft f on turning the latter any suitable spring arrangement may be employed; but, as shown, a s pring-plate i, extending radially from and secured to the shaft 1'', bears at its outer ends on a pin j, which is adjustable to different positions in a curved slot 70 of the disk, so as to secure the proper initial position of the parts, after which the pin j secured fixedly in place. This permits the shaft fto turn to a limited extent before carrying the disk with it.

The movement of the feed-rolls 1.4 and 15 is derived from the shaft 61, an intern'ijittent gear 16 on which meshes with a like gear 64 upon the shaft of the lower feed-roll, and the shafts of the two rolls are carried by a bracket 2, bolted to the frame C. The knife 11. is also carried by the frame and is lifted by a spring 82 and depressed by the contact of an arm 83 on the knife with the end of a pin 42 projecting from the shaft 61.

'lhe records are wound upon the spool 19 as they are printed by rotating the latter as the strip is delivered thereto by means of a motor consisting of a spring-drum 25, containing a coiled spring (not shown) and carrying a gear 27, which meshes with a pinion 28 upon the shaft of the spool 19. Vv hen the strip is drawn off from the spool 19, it retates the drum and rewinds the spring, or the latter may be wound by turning the shaft 26 of the drum by means of a suitable key, a pawl 30, pivoted to the frame, prevei'lting back motion while winding by engaging a ratchet 29 upon the shaft 26, as shown in Fig. 3.

The inking-ribbon is drawn by the spool 31 from the spool 32, the spool 31 having a ratchet flange or wheel 70, which is moved step by step by a spring-pawl 36, carried by an arm and operated from the shaft 61 by means of a pin 37 on the shaft. At each revolution of the shaft the pawl is raised by the pin 37, turning the spool one step. A pawl 35 prevents the back rotation of the spool.

It will be seen that by the above arrangement there are two impressions secured from the same ribbon and that the feeding of the ribbon being transverse to that of the paper strips does not in any way interfere with the movements of the latter.

It is important to prevent more than one ticket from being made for the same piece of ice, and I therefore provide suitable means whereby the operating-handle can be moved only after the rod 45 has been carried downward, and whereby it cannot be restored to normal position. until the .red 45 has again risen. This secures the movement of all the parts during one movement of the handle to make one imprint. Different control devices may be employed to secure this result; but, as shown, there is a rock-shaft 40, Fig. 1, rocking in friction-bearings, so as to remain in any position in which it is set and provided with two studs 43 44 at an angle to each other and so separated as to receive between them the arm 42 on the main shaft 61. At the opposite end of the rock-shaft 40 is an arm 77, which is parallel to the stud 43 and in position when the stud 43 is horizontal to be struck by a pin 41, projecting from the rod 45. From the shaft 40 extends a flat spring 86, secured centrally to the shaft and which after the shaft is turned beyond a limited-extent in either direction bears on the side piece a of the frame. These parts are so arranged that the stud 43 will be opposite the arm 42 when the handle 3 is vertical, and the arm 77 will extend horizontally below the pin 41, and preferably the parts are so arranged that the pin 41 will not contact with the arm 47 unless a piece of more than five pounds is upon the scale, so as to insure tlfie delivery of a ticket only with that weight 0 me.

When the weight is put upon the hook, the rod 45 will descend, and the contact of the pin 41 with the arm 77 will carry the stud 43 out of the path of the arm 42, so that the handle 8 may be turned in the direction of its arrow until the arm 42 strikes the pin 44, which will then be in a horizontal position. The handle 8 will therefore be prevented from further movement, and another ticket cannot be printed until the shaft 40 is rocked on the ascent of the rod 45 to'bring the parts to their normal position. When the arm 77 is carried down by the pin 41, the spring 86 makes contact with the side piece ct of the frame, and as the pin 41 leaves the arm 77 the said spring will react and turn back the shaft 40 sufficiently to bring the arm 77 in position to be struck by the pin on its upward movement.

To insure that each type of the disk E shall be in printing position before the handle 8 can be operated, I provide a lever 19, pivoted to the frame at 78 and extending upward in contact with a pin n, extending from the slide Z, and upon the shaft 61 is secured a ratchetwheel g, which engages with the lower bent end of the lever p. These parts are so arranged that so long as the slide Z is not fully within one of the sockets of the disk E the end of the lever p will engage the ratchet g and prevent the shaft 61 from being turned. When, however, the end of the slide is fully in one of said sockets, the pin n, bearing on the lever 79, will carry its lower end away from the ratchet g and permit the rotation of the shaft.

The shafts of the wheels 18 and 19 fit inclined slots in the side plates (see Fig. 1) and are retained therein by means of the hooked ends of levers 24 24, the opposite ends of which are connected by a spring 23, tending to hold them in place and prevent the displacement of the spools.

Vithout limiting myself to the precise construction and arrangement of the parts described, I claim as my invention .1. The combination with the casing, printingwheels, springsupported rod and connections, and platen of a spring-scale, of a handle outside the casing, connections for operating the printing devices, two recordingstrips, a cutter for cutting one of the strips, means for operating it from said handle, and means for delivering the cut portions outside the casing, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination in a spring-scale, of a casing, a helical spring suspended within the same, a rod connected with said spring and extending through the bottom of the casing, a ticket-printing mechanism including means whereby the type indicating the weight is shifted on the movement of the said rod and in proportion thereto, a handle outside the casing, connections whereby the printing mechanism may be actuated while the spring is distended, and a locking device whereby a second movement of the handle is prevented until the spring is again contracted,,substantially as set forth.

3. The combination in a weighingmachine, of a suspended helical spring, a rod connected to the lower end of the spring and extending upward within the spring and provided with a piston, and a cylinder within said spring receiving said piston and constituting therewith a dash-pot, substantially as set forth.

4. The combination of the type-disk E, means for turning the same in proportion to the weight of an article to be weighed, said disk provided on its face with a series of tapering sockets, arranged in a circle, a slide having a pointed end adapted to said sockets,

' means for moving the slide toward the disk to bring each type into proper printing position, an operating-handle, and means for preventing the movement of the latter until the slide is in position in one of the sockets, substantially as set forth.

5. The combination with a type-disk, slide 1, platen, and operating-handle s, of a ratchet g connected to said handle, a lever p engaging said ratchet at one end, and a pin on the slide engaging the other end of the lever, substantially as set forth.

6. The combination in a weighing machine, of a suspended spring, a rod suspended therefrom, printing mechanism including atype-disk connected to be turned in proportion to the extent to which the spring is distended, an operating-handle, and means for preventing the operation of the handle until the spring is distended and for restraining the further movement of the handle until the spring again contracts, substantially as set forth.

7. The combination with the spring and rod 45, printing mechanism and operating-hair dle, of a rock-shaft provided with studs for limiting the movement of the handle and with a projecting arm, and a pin upon the rod 45 for engaging said arm, substantially as set forth.

8. The combination with the spring, rod 45 and its pin 41, of printing devices, an operating-handle, an arm 42 connected to be carried therewith, and a rock-shaft 40 provided with studs 43, 44 at an angle to each other and with an arm 77 in position to be struck by the pin 41, substantially as set forth.

9. The combination with the spring-balance of a weighing-machine, of a printingdisk connected to be moved in proportion to the distension of the spring, dating-disks, means for adjusting the same, a platen beneath the said disks, an operating-handle, means for operating the platen on the turning of said handle, and means for locking the handle untilthe parts are in position for printing, substantially as set forth.

10. The combination with the type-carrying devices, a movable bar provided with means for supporting a body to be weighed, and connections for operating the type-carriers from said bar, of a movable platen, a shaft, a handle for operating the same, a cam arranged to lift the platen on the turning of the shaft, and means for locking the handle until the type-carriers are in place, substantially as set forth.

11. The combination with the type-carrying devices, a movable bar provided with means for supporting a body to be weighed, and connections for operating the type-carriers from said bar, of a movable platen, a shaft, a handle for operating the same, a cam arranged to lift the platen on the turning of the shaft, a hammer, and means for operating the hammer to carry the platen percussively toward the type after the platen is raised, substantially as set forth.

12. The combination with the type-carrying devices and platen, a movable bar provided with means for supporting a body to be weighed, and connections for operating the type-carriers from said bar, of a cam, connections for raising the platen, a hammer for striking the platen, and means for with drawing and releasing the said hammer after the platen is raised, substantially as set forth.

13. The combination with the type-carrying devices and platen, a movable bar provided with means for supporting a body to be weighed, and connections for operating the type-carriers from said bar, of a shaft, a cam thereon for raising the platen, a ham mer and spring-support therefor, and a pin upon the said shaft arranged to engage and release said hammer, substantially as set forth.

14. The combination with the type-carrying devices and platen, a movable bar provided with means for supporting a body to be weighed, and connections for operating the type-carriers from said bar, of means for carrying a plurality of strips between the platen and type, a cutter for cutting one of the strips, an operating-handle, means whereby the said strips are carried beneath the type, and the cutter operated and the platen carried to and from the type upon the movement of the handle, a casing inclosing the parts, and means for delivering the cut portion of the strip outside the casing, substantially as set forth.

15. The combination with the type-carriers and platen, a movable bar provided with means for supporting a body to be weighed, and connections for operating the type-carriers from said bar, of means for feeding two strips across the platen, a cutter, means for actuating the same to out sections from one of the strips, and a spool and means for turning it to roll up the other strip, substantially as set forth.

16. The combination with the type-carriers, and platen, a movable bar provided with means for supporting a body to be weighed, and connections for operating the type-carriers from said bar, of means for feeding two strips across the platen, a cutter, means for actuating the same to cut sections from one of the strips, and a spool and a motor for turning it to roll up the other strip, substantially as set forth.

17. The combination with the type-carriers and platen, a movable bar provided with means for supporting a body to be weighed, and connections for operating the type-carriers from said bar, of means for feeding two strips across the platen, a cut ter, means for actuating the same to cut sections from one of the strips, a spool, and a spring-actuated drum to turn the same to roll up the other strip, substantially as set forth.

18. The combination with the type-carrying devices and platen, a movablev bar provided with means for supporting a body to be weighed, and connections for operating the type-carriers from said bar, of means for carrying superposed strips across the face of the platen, and means for guiding a printing-ribbon transversely across the face of the platen, over one of the strips and back over the other, substantially as set forth.

19. The combination with the type-carrying devices and platen, a movable bar pro vided with means for supporting a body to be weighed, and connections for operating the type-carriers from said bar, of means for feeding a strip across the face of the platen, a

printing-ribbon, spools, and a guide-roll art sitely-arranged spools, two hooked levers enranged to direct the said ribbon across the gaging said shafts, and a spring connecting face of the platen at right angles to the dithe ends of both levers, substantiallv as set rection of the paper strip, substantially as forth. I 5 5 set forth. In testimony whereof I have signed my 20. The combination With the spring, name to this specification in the presence of shait, type-disk and spring-blade i, of a beartWo subscribing Witnesses.

ing-pin j adjustable upon said disk, substan- CHAS. E. CRANE. tially as set forth. Witnesses: IO 21. The combination with the frame hav- A. T. I'IORROOKS,

ing slots for the reception of shafts, of oppo- GEO. E. SAOKETS. 

